Laird Trepp does “kite flying” off Pine Mountain just before the 1973 tournament. The son of Laverne Trepp — the first man to ever come down Pine Mountain —started down the scaffold with the kite, flew gracefully into the air and floated down over the landing hill, according to the book “Pine Mountain Ski Jump” by Dr. John Dougoveto. Then as he tried to steer his kite onto the outrun, a gust of wind forced him into the parking lot, where he landed between two cars. Fortunately he was not injured.

IRON MOUNTAIN — Final preparations are underway for the 2020 Bellin Health Pine Mountain Continental Cup ski jumping tournament set for Feb. 14-16 at Giant Pine Mountain.

A wide field of international ski jumpers is expected — 42 athletes so far from nine countries — for the 81st year of ski jumping at the Iron Mountain venue.

Considered among the more challenging ski jumping venues, Giant Pine Mountain over time has attracted some of the world’s best.

“Entries have been received from Austria, Norway, Canada, Poland, Slovenia, Germany, France, Kazakhstan and, of course, the United States,” said Susie Fox, correspondence secretary for the Kiwanis Ski Club.

The schedule of events for the upcoming competition include “Meet The Skiers,” 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, at Pine Mountain Resort.

“This is an informal gathering to meet the skiers and coaches as well as get autographs,” Fox said. “The Meet The Skiers event is by far the public’s best opportunity to interact with the athletes and coaches.”

The event is no charge, yet reservations are requested by calling the Dickinson Area Partnership at 906-774-2002.

While the schedule is always weather permitting, the tentative timetable will be:

— Official training for the athletes begins at 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14.

— Saturday, Feb. 15, trial round begins at 11 a.m. Opening ceremonies are set at 12:15 p.m., with the first competition at 1 p.m.

— Sunday, Feb. 16, the trial round begins at 11 a.m. and the second competition beginning at 1 p.m.

Tune into “The Mountain” 106.7 FM for a live broadcast from the event and any schedule changes.

“If high winds are predicted for the afternoon, it is very possible for organizers to move the competition to the morning,” Fox said.

Admission buttons are available throughout the Iron Mountain/Kingsford area or by mail from the Kiwanis Ski Club website at www.kiwanisskiclub.com.

Pre-sale buttons are $30 for adults and $25 for ages 11 to 17; ages 10 and younger are admitted for free.

Buttons can also be purchased at the entrance to the event. Gate prices are $35 for adults, $30 for students. Concessions are available on site, but carry-ins and tailgating are welcomed. “This is the largest tailgate party in the Midwest in the month of February,” Fox said.

Bellin Health will host a children’s play area from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, to the far left of the outrun of the landing hill if looking up. “We are building a big sledding hill for the kids to play on during the tournament,” said Lennie Walters, club vice president.

For more information, go to the website www.kiwanisskiclub.com or call the Kiwanis Ski Club at 906-779-1110.

Theresa Proudfit can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 245, or tproudfit@ironmountaindailynews.com.